Semcac Inc

Programs: Child education services:semcac head start is a high quality program serving six counties in southeast minnesota: dodge, fillmore, houston, mower, steele and winona. Head start is family-focused; parents and teachers work together to plan activities that support each child's growth and well-being. Most head start families have incomes at or below the federal poverty level. Children participate in a variety of educational activities that encourage a love of learning and lifelong healthy habits. The children work on their listening and speaking skills. As a result, they learn to get along with others, solve problems, and gain confidence. Children also receive medical and dental care, have healthy meals and snacks, and enjoy creative play in safe settings indoors and outdoors. Children leave head start more prepared for kindergarten, excited about learning and ready to succeed. During the 2016-2017 head start program year, the lives of young children ages birth to 5 were enriched and their families were empowered as shown through the following results: - 390 children received quality learning and care. - 116 children transitioned from head start to kindergarten. - 59 children received special education and related support services. - 167 parents learned and exhibited improved parenting skills- our program goal - each child will grow and develop to his/her full potential was met. 100% of children enrolled made strong progress toward ""full proficiency"" across all domains of learning. - 100% of families received requested services, such as: emergency/crisis intervention for food, clothing and shelter, and housing assistance. - 390 children and infants have improved health and development as a result of adequate nutrition- 100% of families all also received parenting education. - 2,069 volunteer hours were donated to the semcac head start program in 2017.

older americans:semcac senior nutrition serves mid-day meals monday through friday to persons 60 years of age or older and their spouses, regardless of age, through senior congregate dining and meals on wheels. The programs target the low-income, nutritionally at risk senior. The programs promote healthy living by (1) providing a meal that meets 1/3 of recommended daily allowance standards, (2) offering nutrition and health-related presentations at our sites, and (3) providing opportunities to socialize and provide meaningful volunteer duties. For most participants, these programs provide the main meal of the day; and, the fact that our meals are low cost and affordable allows them to stay within their budgets. Studies have shown that our programs keep seniors living in their own homes and postpone long-term care placements as long as possible. Senior congregate dining provides seniors with an opportunity to receive a low-cost, nutritious meal, enjoy the fellowship of neighbors and friends, and take part in programming and/or volunteer activities. In fiscal year 2017, (program year january 1 - december 31, 2016), senior dining empowered seniors to maintain their health and nutritional well-being, while offering educational program sand an opportunity for socializing, as shown through the following results: - 207,078 hot, nutritious noon meals were served in a congregate setting to 4,728 seniors at 45 sites in 11 counties. Meals on wheels provides the homebound senior with the similar meal delivered to their home. Some of the participants are recuperating from surgery or illness, some are physically disabled, and many are unable to shop and cook due to limitations brought on by advanced age. Local community volunteers do the home delivery. Their daily visit doubles as a safety check for the meals recipient. There have been times when this safety check has resulted in saving the life of a senior. In fiscal year 2017 (program year january 1 - december 31, 2016), meals on wheels helped seniors remain in their own home and maintain their health as shown through the following results: - 76,114 hot, nutritious meals were delivered to 948 seniors via the meals on wheels program. 568 volunteers delivered theses meals. The senior nutrition program volunteers donated 41,650 hours of their time.

weatherization program:semcac's weatherization assistance program provides energy conservation home improvements to reduce energy consumption costs. Each home is inspected before and after work is done in order to ensure that homes are more energy efficient upon project completion. Homeowners are made aware of all areas of the home on which work will be completed. Improvements may include exterior wall and attic insulation, air infiltration and bypass sealing, and the testing, repair or replacement of the home's mechanical systems to ensure efficiency and safety. The weatherization assistance program also provides (1) education to consumers regarding home energy efficiency and safety, (2) energy audits to evaluate home energy usage, (3) conservation improvement programs in collaboration with local utilities and fuel suppliers. Homeowners and renters who apply and are eligible for the energy assistance program are automatically screened for participation in the weatherization assistance program. Priority is given to households with at least one senior citizen, individuals with a disability or a child, or to households with the highest heating costs. In fiscal year 2017, weatherization improved the energy efficiency of people's homes and reduced their energy consumption as shown through the following results: - 371 households received energy audits, weatherization updates and energy conservation education, affecting approximately 816 people.